The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

@mlowen
I don't see your tunnels on the coop page..... want to post some here?

 

[JanetMarie]

I've had chicks in my main garden all season, due to having too many separate batches. The last two in the garden now were brooded by a new "maybe want to be a mom", and she only knew how to set, and I had to save the last two chicks. Looks like they are both pullets!! No one has done damage to any of the vegetable plants.

 

[mlowen]

@mlowen

I don't see your tunnels on the coop page..... want to post some here? 

I'm out of town until next week, so no access to the pictures. Will post when I can. Thanks.

 

[mlowen]

I'm back. Here are the chicken tunnels.

 

[mlowen]

For the tunnels I built frames from 4 to 12 feet long, 2 feet wide. I cut 4 foot 2x4 welded wire fencing the length of the frame and stapled/u-nailed it on the sides of the frame. That makes the "tunnel" part a perfect height for the chickens. They look like high school track runners when they run down the tunnels, jumping over the cross braces.

 

[Purpletie3]

For the tunnels I built frames from 4 to 12 feet long, 2 feet wide. I cut 4 foot 2x4 welded wire fencing the length of the frame and stapled/u-nailed it on the sides of the frame. That makes the "tunnel" part a perfect height for the chickens. They look like high school track runners when they run down the tunnels, jumping over the cross braces.

I love those tunnels...great idea!

 

[Leahs Mom]

@mlowen

It looks like you are using your tunnels to primarily move chickens from one covered area to another. Are all the areas that you let them into completely covered over the top for hawk protection?

 

[Attila the Hen]

I'm back. Here are the chicken tunnels.

Love this idea. I'd have to make mine larger to allow turkeys access if I decided to let them. I hate restricting them because I am sure they eat chiggers and now I can walk where ever they go.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

For the tunnels I built frames from 4 to 12 feet long, 2 feet wide. I cut 4 foot 2x4 welded wire fencing the length of the frame and stapled/u-nailed it on the sides of the frame. That makes the "tunnel" part a perfect height for the chickens. They look like high school track runners when they run down the tunnels, jumping over the cross braces.

for your tunnels how do you keep them from rolling over in the wind? I like the tunnel idea.

 

[mlowen]

for your tunnels how do you keep them from rolling over in the wind?  I like the tunnel idea. 

The frames are rough cut hemlock. They'll stand a gale. I think even 2x3 or 2x4 lumber would not roll in wind. The fencing lets wind flow right through it.